Kai Honda

Kai Honda - Shadows of Japan

Society EN ↓ 3 episodes

"The dark side of Japan guidebooks hide."Welcome to the hidden side of Japan that guidebooks won't show you. Shadows of Japan is a narrative podcast exploring the eerie folklore, true crime, and spiritual history behind the "Cool Japan" facade. Hosted by Kai Honda, directly from Japan. From the child spirits haunting old inns (Zashiki Warashi) to the real-life rituals of cursing enemies, we peel back the layers of Japanese culture to reveal the darkness—and the beauty—underneath. This isn't just a ghost story; it's a deep dive into the Japanese psyche.🎧 www.youtube.com/@KaiHonda-y7i

Author

Kai Honda

Episodes

Episode3 - The Real Ryomen Sukuna: Hero or Demon? & The Truth of Straw Doll Curses by Kai Honda - Shadows of Japan 19.02.2026 15:02

"If you curse someone, dig two graves."In the anime "Jujutsu Kaisen," Ryomen Sukuna is the ultimate villain. But in real Japanese history, he might have been a hero who saved his people. In this episode of Shadows of Japan, host Kai Honda travels to the mountains of Gifu Prefecture to uncover the true legend of the "Two-Faced Demon."We also investigate the terrifying...

Episode2 - The Living Dolls: From Cursed Objects to Tsukumogami by Kai Honda - Shadows of Japan 19.02.2026 7:44

Why does the hair of the "Okiku Doll" keep growing? In Episode 2, Kai Honda explores the "Uncanny Valley" of Japanese culture. We dive into the concept of "Tsukumogami" (spirits inhabiting objects)—a philosophy that explains everything from ancient doll funerals to modern sustainability. We travel from the snowy temples of Hokkaido to the fire rituals of Wakayama to u...

Episode1 - Why Japanese People Pay to Sleep in Haunted Rooms (The Zashiki Warashi Legend) by Kai Honda - Shadows of Japan 19.02.2026 6:25

Imagine waking up at 2 AM in an old Japanese inn to find a child watching you. In the West, this is a horror movie. In Japan, this ghost brings ultimate fortune... but at a terrible price. In this first episode of Shadows of Japan, host Kai Honda explores the legend of the Zashiki Warashi (座敷童). We travel to the deep mountains of Iwate Prefecture to uncover why modern business owners still floc...